Discussion Topics for Today's Classroom

Monthly Archives: April 2017

Description: The media mogul says most of his fortune will go to his foundation – viewing personal philanthropy not as a threat to democracy, but a way to get things done. Steve Kroft reports. Source: CBS.com – video report Date: April 21, 2017 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/bloomberg/ Questions for discussion: What information presented in this report helps… Read more »

Description: In his first 100 days as president, Donald J. Trump may have found much of his agenda stymied, like a health care overhaul and a hotly contested immigration order. Source: NYTimes.com Date: April 28, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/28/business/dealbook/trump-stocks-100-days-markets.html?ref=business&_r=0 Questions for discussion: What is the significance of stock market behavior during the first 100 days? What… Read more »

Description: Martin Feldstein’s inconvenient truths about the U.S. trade deficit Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: April 28, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-real-reason-for-the-trade-deficit-us-2017-04-26?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the current trade deficit? Is it a bad thing? What has to happen for it to be reduced? What do you think will happen over the next year or so?… Read more »

Description: ESPN, which laid off 100 people this week, has a multitude of problems, but the basic one is this: It pays too much for content and costs too much for consumers. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: April 28, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-04-28/espn-can-t-afford-to-go-on-like-this Questions for discussion: Why is ESPN in trouble? What should management do to fix the… Read more »

Description: As Home Capital Group Inc. was having its worst week ever, at least one person in the investment world was smiling. Marc Cohodes, a short seller who has been described as a “scourge of Wall Street” has for more than three years bet on the implosion of the Toronto-based alternative mortgage lender. Source: FinancialPost.com… Read more »

Description: Food security is behind ChemChina’s $43 billion takeover of Syngenta. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: April 21, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2pWStmR Questions for discussion: How is this acquisition different from other M&A deals that have taken place in this industry? How do you think Chinese government ownership will influence the firm and the industry… Read more »

Description: Paul Tudor Jones is a reclusive hedge fund legend who never talks to the press. Source: CNBC.com Date: April 21, 2017 Link: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/21/hedge-fund-legend-paul-tudor-jones-says-this-chart-is-terrifying-and-should-freak-out-the-fed.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis presented in the report. How much influence do you think Paul Tudor Jones has over investor’s perceptions of risk?

Description: Rarely do you get the chance to buy one of Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett’s favorite stocks on sale. But that’s the case now with Wells Fargo. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: April 21, 2017 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/one-of-warren-buffetts-favorite-stocks-is-now-selling-at-a-big-discount-2017-04-20?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Summarize the analysis and advice. Do you agree?

Description: SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Netflix is on the verge of surpassing 100 million global subscribers, a testament to how much the video streaming service has changed the entertainment landscape since its debut a decade ago. Source: AssociatedPress.com Date: April 17, 2017 Link: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NETFLIX_MAJOR_MILESTONE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT Questions for discussion: Summarize the key financial information provided in this… Read more »

Description: Investors should buy Costco shares because it is one of the few retailers that can succeed versus e-commerce competition, according to Barclays, which upgraded the wholesale club chain to overweight from equal weight. Source: CNBC.com Date: April 21, 2017 Link: http://www.cnbc.com/2017/04/21/heres-why-costco-may-be-the-one-company-amazon-cant-destroy.html Questions for discussion: Which financial factor do you believe is most important in… Read more »